UK Sanctions Far-Right Israeli Ministers Over Gaza and West Bank Rhetoric

The UK, alongside Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway, imposed sanctions on Israeli ministers Itamar Ben‑Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for “repeated incitements of violence” against Palestinians in the West Bank. Both face UK travel bans and asset freezes. Britain’s Foreign Office cited rising settler violence and human rights abuses. Israel condemned the sanctions as “outrageous.” Critics, including Labour’s David Lammy, said the ministers fueled extremist violence. The move aims to pressure Israel to uphold international humanitarian law amid escalating tensions.